Electric Enigma is a double album on which California-based artist Stephen P. McGreevy has documented recordings he made of Natural Radio - electromagnetic emissions in the very-low-frequency band caused by massive discharges and their after-effects in lightning storms and by the solar wind buffeting the earth's magnetic field, visible as Aurora Borealis and Australis. It would normally take long wires to pick up these emissions, which would hamper the mobility of a listener or recordist.

McGreevy developed a portable receiver with a whip antenna, allowing him to travel to places with optimal recording conditions - that is, anywhere in temperate to polar zones, but away from urban settlement and power cables. He further improved the unit by transforming it from a hand-held device to one that he could mount on his camper, so that he did not need to brave adverse weather conditions in order to make his recordings. The material on Electric Enigma was all recorded with the newer design.

There's more information in the PDF booklet included with this double CD release.


This audio is part of the collection: Irdial
It also belongs to collection: Netlabels

Date: 0000-00-00 00:00:00

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Reviewer: The Implicit Order - - July 16, 2010
Subject: The Mystery Of Sound Exposed.
Mysterious........

Reviewer: yotam der keine heilige - - April 13, 2008
Subject: brilliant soundwork
this is one of the most brilliant soundworks i've heard so far - thank you stephen!!

Reviewer: greenhouse george - - November 22, 2006
Subject: better than life
digital glitch electronics maybe in fasion at the moment, but this release shows how nature is always one step ahead [as long as you know where to look / listen]

Reviewer: Banyek - - January 14, 2006
Subject: Another great release from Irdial
Such a great concept to move down from SW numbers stations to VLF .. The recordings are beautiful and interesting. Not to mention that of course, you have to know exactly what you hear. So I enjoyed reading the booklet as well. Electric Enigma=a must have!

Reviewer: duul_drv - - December 7, 2004
Subject: This album changed my life
I remember hearing this years ago from McGreevy's own website and being blown away. This 2 CD set is no exception... pure, natural beauty a must listen for anyone interested in minimalism and science.

Reviewer: simon c - - February 9, 2004
Subject: Natural sounds, beautiful results.
Irdial have a number of very quirky, but excellent releases, and this is no exception - ambient noise that verges on the enchanting, but is actually created by natural conditions. Amazing stuff.